We’re not “just  getting older” as we reach what are called senior years—we’re ripening! 

One definition of ripen is “to bring to completion or perfection” (merriam-webster.com). Senior years are typically associated with the decline of mental faculties and physical well-being. But Mary Baker Eddy, author of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, offers a different model. She writes, “Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to ripen into health and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom” (p. 248).

The need is to learn from our life experiences how “larger lessons”—such as maturing in our spiritual understanding and living more and more unselfishly, including praying for others—can help us in this ripening process. This is being proven today by many students of Christian Science. Their consistent reliance upon its teachings is enabling them to meet and resolve health, supply, employment, relationship, and other challenges through prayer.